Actually, Donald Sterling Never Dropped His Lawsuit Against the NBA

Donald Sterling will not go away. Initial reports claimed that Sterling was dropping his lawsuit against the NBA in full, allowing the sale of the Clippers to move forward. However, it looks like he never did that.

Donald Sterling will not go away. Initial reports claimed last week that Sterling was dropping his lawsuit against the NBA in full, allowing the sale of the L.A. Clippers to move forward. However, it looks like he never did that.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said yesterday that the Clippers sale to former Microsoft executive Steve Ballmer has not been finalized because of Sterling's $1 billion lawsuit against the NBA and Silver.

And, today, it turns out Sterling is ... still suing the NBA. Sterling's lawyer, Max Blecher (who did say Sterling would fight to the "bloody end") said several days ago that Sterling would withdraw the lawsuit, but the NBA claims they never went through with the withdrawal.

Silver said, "We're almost there. There is this last piece, and that is the lawsuit that Donald brought against the League and me personally."

But as it turns out, there might not be plans to withdraw the suit at all. Blecher told Reuters via email that no decision had been made on the lawsuit and all options were under consideration.

Shelly Sterling took legal ownership of the team, and as part of her sales agreement, she agreed to indemnify the NBA in the event her estranged husband goes through with the lawsuit.

"I have absolute confidence it will be resolved because as part of the sale agreement with Shelly Sterling, she agreed to indemnify the league against a lawsuit by her husband. So in essence, Donald is suing himself and he knows that. While I understand he is frustrated, I think it's over," Silver said.

So, in conclusion, there is no conclusion, and Donald Sterling will not go away.

This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.

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